DOS_deck is inspired by the Steam Deck UI, replicating its tiled layout to provide a seamless experience while playing DOS games on the go
With the release of the Steam Deck OLED, it’s never been easier to play AAA games on the go, but why play some of the best PC games when you could play DOS games on your handheld instead? DOS_Deck is a brand-new site that lets you play PC games of yore straight on your PC gaming handheld, whether you’re a retro game connoisseur or just want more excuses to pick up your Deck.
Whatever model of Steam Deck you have, there is a seemingly limitless supply of PC games at your disposal. The Steam library contains over 9,000 games, but expanding your handheld usage beyond what the platform can provide opens up the possibility of experiencing projects like DOS_deck.
DOS_deck allows you to play MS-DOS games directly on your Steam Deck or in your PC browser, and it uses the Steam interface to create a seamless on-the-go experience. The layout is nearly identical to the Steam Deck UI, right down to the black borders, gray background, and tiled game layout.
According to Tom’s Hardware, the project uses the DOSBox emulator and the JS-DOS port for browsers to let you play a collection of free games that were originally released for the 16-bit operating system. While DOS_deck functions similarly to an emulator, the games in question are shareware, demos, and other titles that have been made freely available by their respective publishers and studios. So don’t worry, there will be no pirate shenanigans here.
If you are not of a certain age to have played MS-DOS games, or simply want to experiment with your newly acquired Steam Deck OLED, you can get DOS_deck running on your handheld by following a series of simple steps.
Having one of the best gaming keyboards and gaming mice will make navigating desktop mode – and the subsequent steps – a more streamlined and efficient process. If you don’t have a spare mouse or keyboard, you can use the built-in Steam Deck keyboard instead.
Playing DOS_deck Games on Steam Deck:
To play DOS_deck on Steam Deck, follow these steps:
- Change to desktop mode
- Launch the Discovery app.
- Look up ‘Chrome’ or ‘Microsoft Edge.’
- Install your preferred web browser.
- Choose ‘All Applications.’
- Go to the listed browser.
- Select ‘Add to Steam’ from the context menu.
- Return to ‘All Applications.’
- Search for the ‘Konsole.’
- Launch Konsole and type (in Chrome): com.Google.Chrome flatpak override — user -filesystem=/run/udev:ro
- Launch Konsole and type (for Edge): override flatpak — user -filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge
- Back to Gaming Mode
- Navigate to the ‘Non-Steam Games’ section of the Steam library.
- Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu when you right-click Chrome.
- Change the name of the shortcut to DOS_Deck (optional).
- After @@u @@, enter the following in the ‘Launch Options’ text box: –window-size=1200,800 –kiosk “http:/dosdeck.com”
While there are only a few games available through DOS_deck as of this writing, the project’s creator, Martin Kool, plans to add more in the future. According to the official dosdeck Subreddit page, upcoming games include shareware versions of Duke Nukem 3D, Descent, and the demo for the original Grand Theft Auto, with Kool planning to make Dos_deck “Netflix for DOS games.”
While we’ll have to wait for more games, the ability to use this one-of-a-kind project to play titles designed for technology far below the capabilities of the Steam Deck – and thus well within its processing capabilities – is one of many reasons why the Valve handheld is such a valuable addition to any PC gaming setup.